Russian troops in Melitopol plunder $5M farm autos from Ukraine — to find they’ve been remotely disabled
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But after a journey of greater than 700 miles, the thieves have been unable to use any of the equipment -- as a result of it had been locked remotely.
Over the previous few weeks there's been a growing number of experiences of Russian troops stealing farm tools, grain and even building materials - beyond widespread looting of residences. But the removing of beneficial agricultural equipment from a John Deere dealership in Melitopol speaks to an more and more organized operation, one that even makes use of Russian military transport as part of the heist.CNN has realized that the gear was faraway from an Agrotek dealership in Melitopol, which has been occupied by Russian forces since early March. Altogether it is valued at almost $5 million. The combine harvesters alone are worth $300,000 every.
CNN is just not naming a contact in Melitopol accustomed to the small print of the case for their very own security.
The contact mentioned the method started with the seizure of two mix harvesters, a tractor and a seeder. Over the next few weeks, everything else was eliminated: in all 27 pieces of farm equipment. One of the flat-bed vehicles used, and caught on camera, had a white "Z" painted on it and appeared to be a military truck.
The contact mentioned there were rival groups of Russian troops: some would come in the morning and a few in the evening.
A few of the equipment was taken to a close-by village, however some of it embarked on a protracted overland journey to Chechnya more than 700 miles away. The sophistication of the equipment, that are geared up with GPS, meant that its travel may very well be tracked. It was last tracked to the village of Zakhan Yurt in Chechnya.
The tools ferried to Chechnya, which included combine harvesters -- may also be controlled remotely. "When the invaders drove the stolen harvesters to Chechnya, they realized that they may not even turn them on, as a result of the harvesters were locked remotely," the contact stated.
The gear now appears to be languishing at a farm close to Grozny. However the contact stated that "plainly the hijackers have found consultants in Russia who're attempting to bypass the safety."
"Even if they promote harvesters for spare parts, they will earn some money," the contact stated.
Other sources in the Melitopol area say theft by Russian army units has prolonged to grain held in silos, in a area that produces a whole lot of hundreds of tonnes of crops a 12 months.
One source advised CNN that "the occupiers are providing local farmers to share their income 50% to 50%." But the farmers making an attempt to work in areas occupied by Russian troops are unable to maneuver their produce.
"Not a single elevator works. None of the ports are working. You will not take this grain from the occupied territory anywhere. "
So Russian forces are simply taking the grain, the source said. "They steal it, take it to Crimea and that is it."
Final week the mayor of Melitopol posted a video showing a convoy of trucks leaving Melitopol allegedly loaded with grain.
"We have clear proof that they unloaded grain from the Melitopol city elevator. They robbed the elevator together with non-public farms," the mayor informed CNN.